Why Renner 851 2K Polyurethane Is The Idaho Painter’s Go-To Finish for Cabinets & Furniture

When it comes to cabinets and fine furniture, the finish matters just as much as the prep. Painters need something that sprays smooth, dries fast, sands easily, and holds up to real-world use—not just a product that claims to be durable.

 

That’s why Renner 851 Water-Based 2K Polyurethane has become The Idaho Painter’s go-to product for cabinets and furniture. Paired with my Apollo Precision-6 Pro HVLP turbine sprayer, I get quality professional finishes every time. 

 

This Italian-engineered, professional-grade coating delivers a level of performance that traditional cabinet paints and trim enamels simply can’t match.

---

What Is Renner 851 2K Polyurethane?

Renner 851 is a water-based urethane topcoat designed specifically for interior wood surfaces like cabinets, furniture, and millwork. It can be used as a 1K product straight out of the can or upgraded to a 2K system by adding Renner’s YC-M404 catalyst.

💡 Recommended catalyzation: 5–10%
At 5%, one quart of catalyst treats up to 5 gallons of Renner topcoat.

Once catalyzed, Renner 851 becomes a true professional finish with outstanding chemical resistance, hardness, and long-term durability.

---

Why Renner 851 Beats Traditional Cabinet Coatings

Most painters are used to acrylic enamels or hybrid cabinet paints. While those products work, they’re often slow to cure, soft for days, and prone to scratching or chipping over time.

Renner 851 is in a completely different league.

✅ Faster Dry & Recoat Times

• Dust-free: 45 minutes

• Sandable: 2 hours

• Stackable: 5 hours

• Full cure: 24 hours

 

That means faster turnaround times, less downtime, and more jobs completed per week.

---

✅ Sands Easy, Sprays Smooth

Renner 851 levels beautifully and powders easily when sanded—no gumming up sandpaper or fighting texture.

It sprays consistently with:

• HVLP - Recommendation Apollo Precision-6 HVLP turbine sprayer

• Airless - Recommendation TriTech T5 airless prayer

• Air-assisted airless

• Gravity cup guns

 

Whether you’re in a shop or spraying on-site, this finish just works.

---

✅ More Durable Than Typical Cabinet Paints

When catalyzed, Renner 851 offers:

• Excellent chemical resistance

• Increased scratch and wear resistance

• A harder, more furniture-grade finish

 

This is why it’s trusted by professional finishers—not just painters.

---

Ideal Uses for Renner 851

Renner 851 is incredibly versatile and works beautifully on:

• Kitchen & bathroom cabinets

• Furniture & built-ins

• Interior millwork

• Tannin-rich woods like oak, walnut, and mahogany

It can be used as:

• A self-sealing finish

• A topcoat over stained or sealed wood

---

Tannin Blocking & Open Grain Beauty

One standout feature of Renner 851 is its pore wetting ability, which allows the natural beauty of the wood grain to shine through.

• For tannin-rich woods, catalyze at 10% for excellent tannin blocking

• Achieves a natural, open grain effect without muddying the finish

 

This makes it a favorite for high-end cabinetry and furniture where wood character matters.

---

Finish Sheens & Color Options

Renner 851 is available in multiple professional sheens:

• Flat 10 – Ultra-matte, natural feel

• Satin 25–30 – Clean, low-luster look

• Semi-Gloss 50 – Polished and modern

 

Available in clear or custom-tinted colors, making it ideal for both natural wood finishes and painted cabinetry.

---

Product Specs at a Glance

Use: Interior wood surfaces
Technology: Water-based | 1K or 2K
Recommended Coats: Max 5 (4–5 wet mils per coat)
Coverage: ~200 sq ft per gallon

Dry Times

• Dust-free: 45 minutes

• Touch dry: 60 minutes

• Sandable: 2 hours

• Stackable: 5 hours

• Full cure: 24 hours

Catalyst (Optional)

• YC-M404 @ 10% (12 oz/gal)

• Pot life: 3–4 hours

Cleanup: Water

---

Spray Equipment Recommendations

Renner 851 is forgiving and adaptable across multiple setups:  I prefer using the Apollo Precision-6 Pro HVLP turbine paint sprayer.

• Gravity Cup Gun: 1.3 – 2.0 mm Apollo needle nozzle B-HS air cap

• HVLP: 1.3 – 2.0 mm Apollo needle nozzle B-HS air cap

• Air-Assist: 11 or 0.6–0.9 mm

• Airless: 206 – 308 ExitFlex or TriTech tip

---

Storage & Application Tips

• Store between: 41–95°F (5–35°C)

• Apply above: 60°F

• Optimal range: 68–77°F

 

Proper temperature control ensures the best leveling, adhesion, and durability.

---

Why The Idaho Painter Trusts Renner 851

At The Idaho Painter, products have to earn their place. Renner 851 has proven itself time and again as a fast-drying, easy-sanding, ultra-durable cabinet and furniture finish that outperforms the coatings most painters still rely on.

 

If you’re ready to step up from standard cabinet paint and start delivering true professional finishes, Renner 851 2K Polyurethane is hard to beat.